Bengals Beat Dolphins 31-24 Behind Joe Burrow’s Four Touchdown Passes and Ja’Marr Chase’s Spectacular Catch

Cincinnati Ends Two Game Skid as Miami Falls to 0-5

The Cincinnati Bengals leaned on the familiar connection between quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to end their two game losing streak, defeating the Miami Dolphins 31-24 on Sunday in Week 5 of the NFL season.

Burrow threw four touchdown passes, Chase delivered a spectacular one handed touchdown catch, and safety Jordan Battle intercepted Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis twice on consecutive second quarter drives to help Cincinnati secure the victory. The Bengals improved to 3-2, while Miami dropped to 0-5 after another frustrating performance marked by turnovers, missed opportunities and offensive inconsistency.

Burrow and Chase Deliver Another Highlight Reel Moment

The Burrow-to-Chase connection once again proved difficult to stop, even after Chase missed practice time during the week while recovering from a concussion suffered in the previous Sunday’s game against Jacksonville.

Late in the third quarter, Chase hauled in a remarkable 45 yard touchdown pass from Burrow, securing the bobbling football against his right forearm while being defended by Dolphins cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. The spectacular reception extended Cincinnati’s lead to 28-10 and provided one of the game’s defining moments.

Chase finished with six receptions for 77 yards and the touchdown, giving the Bengals another example of the explosive plays the All-Pro receiver can produce alongside his longtime quarterback.

Burrow completed 23 of 32 passes for 190 yards, spreading the ball around to nine different receivers against Miami’s young secondary. In addition to Chase’s score, Burrow connected with tight ends Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson, as well as running back Samaje Perine, for touchdown passes.

Gesicki, who previously played for the Dolphins, opened the scoring for Cincinnati with a 4-yard touchdown reception just three plays after the opening kickoff return set the Bengals up in favorable field position.

Jordan Battle Intercepts Willis Twice

Battle played a pivotal role in Cincinnati’s defensive effort, intercepting Willis on back-to-back Miami possessions in the second quarter. The veteran safety said during the week that he had noticed a potential tell in Willis’ throwing mechanics, pointing out that the Dolphins quarterback appeared to tap the football before releasing it. Battle capitalized on his preparation, coming away with two interceptions that helped the Bengals build control of the game.

Willis struggled throughout the afternoon, particularly in the first half, when he completed just five passes. He finished 15 of 27 for 137 yards, with his two interceptions and a lost fumble contributing to Miami’s uphill battle. The Dolphins’ offseason free-agent acquisition also struggled with his timing, throwing late on several occasions and missing open receivers as Cincinnati took advantage of the mistakes.

Dolphins’ Mistakes Prove Costly in First Half

Cincinnati established a 21-7 halftime lead largely by capitalizing on Miami’s early mistakes. The Dolphins surrendered an 81-yard opening kickoff return to Dohnte Meyers, giving the Bengals excellent field position. Three plays later, Burrow found Gesicki for a 4-yard touchdown. Gesicki celebrated his score with a Griddy near the end zone against his former team.

Miami responded with an 11-play, 60-yard drive to get on the scoreboard, but the possession was unusual. Willis went 0-for-2 passing, while the Dolphins gained 51 yards on the ground. Rookie running back Ollie Gordon capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to cut Cincinnati’s lead.

Gordon continued to provide a spark in the backfield as Miami adjusted to the season-ending ACL injury suffered by De’Von Achane in Week 3. Originally the Dolphins’ third-string running back, Gordon has moved up the depth chart and appears to have passed Jaylen Wright in the rotation. He finished with 18 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown, offering one of the few consistent bright spots for Miami’s offense.

Miami Threatens but Cannot Complete the Comeback

The Dolphins had an opportunity to make the game closer late in the third quarter after rookie Chris Bell broke off a 26-yard run to help move Miami inside Cincinnati’s 1-yard line. Additional runs by Gordon put the Dolphins in position to score, but the drive stalled. Willis took an 8-yard sack before forcing an incomplete pass toward tight end Greg Dulcich. Miami ultimately settled for Riley Patterson’s 29-yard field goal, cutting Cincinnati’s lead to 21-10.

Chase’s spectacular touchdown later in the quarter pushed the Bengals ahead 28-10, putting Miami in a difficult position heading into the fourth. The Dolphins refused to go quietly, however. Rookie wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. caught a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, helping Miami continue its push to get back into the game.

Willis added a 1-yard touchdown run with 45 seconds remaining, trimming Cincinnati’s advantage to 31-24. The score followed a 23-yard reception by Coleman that helped set up the late touchdown.

Miami had a chance to make the finish even more dramatic, but Patterson’s extra-point attempt clanged off the left upright. The Dolphins then attempted an onside kick, but the ball went out of bounds, allowing Cincinnati to close out the victory and snap its two-game losing streak. Despite the late push, Miami’s earlier mistakes proved too costly to overcome.

Both Teams Head Into Their Bye Week

Both the Bengals and Dolphins will have Week 6 off before returning to action. Cincinnati will look to build on its bounce-back victory and continue its push in the AFC, while Miami faces a critical opportunity to regroup after falling to 0-5. The Dolphins will need to address their turnover problems, improve their passing-game consistency and find ways to turn promising drives into touchdowns if they hope to get their season back on track.